Tool Reviews: Thorsen 22-333 Puck Wrench

Key Features:
 +   14 different socket sizes
 +   Good grip
 -    Hard to use in tight spaces


Some people might look at a puck wrench as a gimmick tool -- something more for novelty than for functional use.  But the Thorsen 22-333 puck wrench can actually be a useful tool.  It will never take the place of a ratchet and socket set, but as an extra tool it can have its uses.

The Thorsen puck wrench is a roundish, rubber-wrapped metal tool with seven sockets.  The sockets are ribbed on the inside, so they can be used with bolts or nuts of varying designs.  The sockets work well with both SAE and metric sizes, and the sizes are clearly marked on the wrench.

There is also a 1/4" hex bit holder, so you can use the puck wrench as a small screwdriver.  The bit holder has a small magnet that will hold the bit in place but will not attract or hold fasteners.  (The puck wrench does not come with any bits.)

The wrench is small, so you can easily stow it in a tool bag, pocket, or just about anywhere else you keep tools.  The shape of the wrench and the rubber coating combine to provide a fairly good grip.  The main drawback to the wrench is that it can't be used in tight places where there isn't at least a couple of inches of clearance around the bolt or nut, because of the wrench's shape.

For $1.90 at Pep Boys, this puck wrench is a good deal.  Or for $2.90, Pep Boys sells a Thorsen ratcheting puck wrench, which looks the same (blue instead of red) but features a 3/8" drive ratchet in the center of the puck.

Thorsen 22-333 Puck Wrench price comparison:
- PepBoys:  $1.90
- Menards:  $4.00